Exploring visual journalism

Sochi

As the Paralympics come to a close, we take a look at some of the best photographs from the games in Sochi. The Paralympics follow the February 7-23 Sochi Winter Olympic Games for which Russia spent more than $50 billion on hosting and related infrastructure in the Black Sea resort.

Canada defeats US men’s hockey team to face Sweden in the gold medal game with a lone goal from Jamie Benn, the scent of scandal lingered over the Sochi Olympics on Friday after contentious judging favored an unfancied Russian over South Korea’s Kim Yuna in the women’s figure skating contest, US Speedskating and Under Armour announced an eight-year contract renewal through the 2022 Olympics on Friday morning and more.

Russia was eliminated in men’s hockey after Finland defeats them 3-1 in the quarterfinals, Ted Ligety of US won Olympic gold in men’s giant slalom, US skier Bode Miller says he will not race in this week’s slalom after tweaking his already-injured knee, but will race the rest of the World Cup season, and more.

Americans Elana Meyers, Lauryn Williams hold lead after 1st day of women’s bobsled, Lolo Jones officially becomes 10th American to compete in different sports at the Summer and Winter Olympics as she competes in heat 1 of women’s bobsled runs, Anze Kopitar, Slovenia advance to Olympic men’s hockey quarterfinals, two members of Pussy Riot were detained and released and more.

The United States women’s ice hockey team will advance to the gold-medal game after defeating Sweden, 6-1 in a semifinal match.

Meanwhile, a heavy fog has forced the postponement of the Olympic men’s snowboard cross race and a second delay in the men’s 15-kilometer mass-start biathlon race. Both events are now slated for Tuesday.

Two-time gold medalist Shaun White was just out of medal’s reach in fourth place amid more than 30 crashes by contestants in the men’s halfpipe qualifying round. One snowboarder crashed so hard her helmet cracked, raising concerns once again about safety during the Sochi Olympics. A number of tumbles on the slopes have led to changes to the courses. Here are a few of the most wince-inducing images from the slopes of Sochi as some of the world’s best athletes compete for the gold. And sometimes, the opposing team’s coach comes to the rescue.

Lyudmila Frolova, 74, was relocated three years ago from her old home near the sea to her current home further inland in order to make way for the construction of the Olympic site. She says she is happy with her new home, an upgrade from her previous one, but regrets that because of the difficulty she faces in walking, and the greater distance, she can no longer walk to the sea.

Reuters photographer Eric Gaillard visited Frolova’s home and Archpriest Georgy Efimo, who also lost his church to make way for the construction of the Olympic site.